“The Liberal Arts in the 21st

Century” is Topic of Sixth Annual Clifford Symposium at Middlebury

College

Offering three lectures and a panel discussion, the

sixth annual Nicholas R. Clifford Symposium, “The Liberal

Arts in the 21st Century,” will take place on

Sept. 18-19. All symposium events, which are open to the public

and free of charge, will be held at the Middlebury College Center

for the Arts on South Main Street (Route 30).

The inspiration for the symposium’s topic originated

from Ralph Waldo Emerson’s discourse before a Middlebury College

debating society in 1845 about what it means to be a student trained

in the liberal arts. Prior to the symposium, speakers were invited

to read the text of Emerson’s talk. With Emerson’s thoughts in

mind, the speakers will examine the present state of research

in each of their fields, the best ways to teach and engage students

in the study of this research, and its continuing place in the

pursuit of knowledge. They also will address the broader question

of the place of a liberal arts education in an increasingly diverse

society.

Leon Botstein, Leon Levy Professor in the Arts and

Humanities and president of Bard College, will give a talk, “Beyond

Platitudes and Rhetoric: Making Sense of the Liberal Arts in Contemporary

Culture,” on Friday, Sept. 18 at 4:30 p.m. Richard Brodhead,

A. Bartlett Giamatti Professor of English at Yale University and

dean of Yale College, will speak “On Preparation for an Unknown

World” on Sept. 18 at 8 p.m.

Roger Schank, John Evans Professor of Computer Science,

Psychology, Education and Social Policy, and director of the Institute

for the Learning Science at Northwestern University, will discuss

“Learning and Interactive Media”

on Saturday, Sept. 19, at 10 a.m. followed

by a panel discussion. Botstein, Schank and Brodhead, as well

as two Middlebury College professors-Robert

Schine, Curt

Silberman Professor of Jewish Studies, and dean of the faculty;

and Marjorie Lamberti, Charles A. Dana Professor

of History-will participate

in the panel. The Nicholas R. Clifford Symposium was established

by the Middlebury College board of trustees in 1993 to honor the

distinguished career of Nicholas R. Clifford, College professor

emeritus of history. Clifford was a member of the Middlebury College

history department from 1966-1993, and served as vice president

for academic affairs on three occasions, from 1979-1985, in 1989,

and from 1991-1993.

Schedule of Events:

Friday, Sept. 18

4:30 p.m. Middlebury College

Center for the Arts, South Main Street (Route 30). Lecture: “Beyond

Platitudes and Rhetoric: Making Sense of the Liberal Arts in Contemporary

Culture,” Leon Botstein, Leon Levy Professor in the Arts

and Humanities and president of Bard College.

8 p.m. Middlebury College

Center for the Arts, South Main Street (Route 30). Lecture: “On

Preparation for an Unknown World,” Richard Brodhead, A. Bartlett

Giamatti Professor of English at Yale University and dean of Yale

College.

Saturday, Sept. 19

10 a.m. Middlebury College

Center for the Arts, South Main Street (Route 30). Lecture: “Learning

and Interactive Media,”

Roger Schank, John Evans Professor of Computer

Science, Psychology, Education and Social Policy, and director

of the Institute for the Learning Science at Northwestern University.

Following 10 a.m. lecture,

Middlebury College Center for the Arts, South Main Street (Route

30) panel discussion. Panelists: Leon Botstein, Leon Levy Professor

in the Arts and Humanities and president of Bard College; Roger

Schank, John Evans Professor of Computer Science, Psychology,

Education and Social Policy, and director of the Institute for

the Learning Science at Northwestern University; Richard Brodhead,

A. Bartlett Giamatti Professor of English at Yale University and

dean of Yale College; Robert

Schine, Curt Silberman Professor of Jewish

Studies and dean of the faculty at Middlebury College; Marjorie

Lamberti, Charles A. Dana Professor of History

at Middlebury College.